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Children experience significant learning loss during the summer when they don't engage in learning activities. This "summer slide" is responsible for up to two months of lost learning in math and up to one month of lost learning in reading.
For kids with ADHD, who often finish the school year behind their peers academically, summer learning activities not only help offset the summer slide, but also help build skills that may have been missed during the school year. Unfortunately, because school is more challenging and stressful for kids with ADHD, they are typically more resistant to participating in summer learning activities.
While structured academic enrichment activities are an important part of any summer learning plan, there's also room for fun learning activities at home that won't feel quite so much like schoolwork. When kids with ADHD are doing something that they enjoy, their resistance disappears and their enthusiasm soars!
Family Game Nights. Almost all board games involve some elements of reading, writing, math, planning, or strategic thinking. When kids are immersed in their favorite games, they don't realize that they are actually practicing their academic skills! Great games for practicing math skills are Phase 10 and Sumoku. To encourage reading and word building skills, try Apples to Apples and Bananagrams.
Write a Blog. Blogging provides kids with an excellent opportunity for self- expression while they practice writing and communication skills. Use a site that allows you to password protect blog posts, so they can only be viewed by readers with the password. And always review your child's blogs before they are posted. Edublogs is a great blogging platform created just for students.
Expert for a Day. Sometimes the best way to learn something is to teach it. When we teach others, we are more attentive to details and we think more critically and deeply about a topic. Encourage your child to teach you and other members of the family by making them an "Expert for a Day" this summer. Find a local historical site or educational attraction (the zoo, a marina, a nature preserve) that your family can visit this summer. Have your child research and take notes about the site or attraction, and take the lead on playing the role of tour guide on the day of.
Cooking. Cooking and baking are simple, every day activities that provide excellent learning opportunities. Kids use their math and reading skills, practice following multi-step instructions, and even learn about science! The Exploratorium's Science of Cooking website includes recipes and activities that teach kids about the science of cooking in a way that is engaging and interactive.
Finding creative ways for your child to continue learning over the summer will go a long way in helping him or her start the new school year off with greater confidence.
See more details on our full blog post.
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Concerned about the summer slide? We offer a variety of flexible academic programs during the summer to ensure your child is academically ready for the fall. Text "READY" to: (916) 585-3823 and we'll provide more details!
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